BRANSON, Mo. (KMOX) - After he was reported missing nearly two years ago, the search for David Koenig is over as it was confirmed that his remains were found in the area of a popular tourist town in Missouri.
Authorities in Branson, Missouri confirmed with a forensic odonatologist that the "human skeletal remains" found on Dec. 22 were of the former Mixed Marital Arts fighter who was 25 when he went missing in February 2020. The remains were found by a man who was looking for deer antlers in the woods near the 3700 block of Fall Creek Rd.
Investigators "conducted a meticulous search" of the area and say they recovered "most of the remains and several other personal articles."
"The examination of the remains conducted by a forensic pathologist determined that there was no trauma and that the death did not appear to be the result of foul play," police say.
Koenig's mother, Tracy Koenig, believed her son was in distress when he disappeared. She told Dateline in July 2020 that her son messaged a few friends and asked for help in the nights before he was last hear from.
“He messaged a few of his friends asking for help,” Tracy Koenig said. “He thought he might be in some sort of trouble. But by the time they read the messages and tried to respond to him, he had stopped messaging. There was no answer from him.”
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He was staying at at room in the Peach Tree Inn in Branson, which was owned by a friend of his, according to Tracy Koenig.
“He’s just not someone who would disappear. And he’s not a guy that someone could just take down,” Tracy said. “He’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s a big, strong guy - but also with a big personality and big heart. He would do anything to protect his family.”
Master Sergeant Danielle Heil with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was part of the investigation that included searches of properties in Taney and Stone counties in Missouri as well as Boone County, Arkansas.
“He sounded like he was in distress,” Heil said. “And wrote that he may be in trouble. This is a six-foot-six, 240-pound man -- he doesn’t just disappear.”
Branson Police said they are grateful for the continued support from the family, volunteers and regional partners, who all teamed to dedicate thousands of hours to search for Koenig.
“Our department and the amazing group of volunteers never stopped in our efforts to find Mr. Koenig,” said Branson Police Chief Jeff Matthews. “While this is not the ending we hoped for, we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Koenig,” said Chief Matthews.
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